Remembering Martyrs | Christianah Oluwatoyin Olusase

21 March 2024

The day started like any other school day for teacher Christianah Oluwatoyin Olusase. She knew the risk to her life as a Christian teacher in northern Nigeria, where most people are Muslim. But she took her job seriously and didn’t hide her faith. Sadly, being open about being Christian led to her death.

It was time for an Islamic Religious Knowledge exam at the Government Day Secondary School in Gombe, Nigeria, where Olusase taught. Since students were about to take exams, Christianah collected their belongings to place in another part of the room until the exams were over. One of the students claimed, in tears, that a Koran was in their bag, and Christianah, by touching it as Christian, had desecrated it. She accused Olusase of disrespecting the Koran because she was Christian.

The other girls agreed and started chanting “Allahu Akbar!” They attacked Olusase, throwing stones and using objects to hurt her. Eventually, they killed her and set her body on fire.

Sadly, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. In February 2006, a similar thing occurred in Bauchi. A Christian teacher took a Koran from a student, and it led to riots where five people died, and churches were burned.

Christians in northern Nigeria face threats and violence from Muslims. But despite the danger, they keep spreading their faith. Christianah Oluwatoyin Olusase knew the risk but didn’t let it stop her from sharing her beliefs.

“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” Matthew 10:28. 

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